Dédougou Hosts School Citizenship Education Week to Foster Student Engagement

Dédougou – The eighth edition of the School Citizenship Education Week (SeSECi) was launched in Dédougou on Monday, November 27, 2023, under the theme “Citizen engagement in schools in the context of the security and humanitarian crisis.” The event, inaugurated at the Grand Forakuy schools by Babo Pierre Bassinga, Governor of the Boucle du Mouhoun region, along with established bodies, aims to instill values of citizenship, peace, and non-violence in students amidst the challenging security and humanitarian backdrop.

According to Burkina Information Agency, The 2023 edition of SeSECi in the Boucle du Mouhoun region commenced with the solemn hoisting of the national colors. This week-long event is dedicated to celebrating and emphasizing citizenship and peace culture in schools, aligning with the educational goals set out in the adopted education orientation law.

Governor Bassinga, conveying the message from the Minister in charge of education, emphasized that SeSECi has become a key platform over the years for promoting values such as peace, tolerance, solidarity, and patriotism. He highlighted that this edition of SeSECi aims to cultivate a culture of peace, non-violence, and humanitarian reflexes among students, fostering values like solidarity, patriotism, and respect for cultural diversity.

Addressing educators and trainers, Governor Bassinga urged them to serve as role models in society to positively influence the young generation. He advised that embodying these values in everyday actions is crucial for imparting them to students.

Philibert Hyacinthe Coulibaly, Regional Director of Preschool, Primary, and Non-Formal Education in Boucle du Mouhoun, acknowledged the negative impact of the country’s security crisis on education, with the closure of schools jeopardizing the future of thousands of students. He stressed the importance of commitment to national values, such as integrity and solidarity, especially in the current context.

Coulibaly emphasized that these values, traditionally imparted by families, must also be reinforced in educational spaces. He highlighted SeSECi as an opportunity to remind each educational stakeholder of their role in shaping responsible citizens with a conscious awareness of the present and a positive vision for the future.

The student representative expressed gratitude to the authorities, teachers, and parents for their efforts in education despite the challenging context. She pledged to uphold school discipline and support the country, emphasizing the role of students as future builders of Burkina Faso.

Throughout the week, lectures and debate talks on the SeSECi theme will be conducted in primary and secondary schools across the region. A public conference on the theme will also be held for students in the capital of the different provinces, with authorities calling for strong student participation in the various activities.